Harsco first came to Finning with the proposition of a remote control machine at the end of 2013. The task: providing an operator with the ability to control the machine from 20m away. This enables the operators to clean ladles containing molten steel safely, as the job is too dangerous for a driver to be within the vehicle’s cab.
Finning territory sales manager Patrick Emmerson said: “Having been working on the Harsco account for 20 years now, covering all their sites in the North East region, I was determined that we could find the answer. After briefing the team engineers in the Leeds’ branch workshop, it was decided that the Caterpillar 316E excavator was the best machine for the job. We managed to integrate the first fully functional remote control system within a month of receiving the remote control parts.”
The success of the first machine was such that Harsco requested a second one towards the end of 2014. Emmerson continued: “The workshop engineers are now very comfortable with the technology, which meant that thanks to the more streamlined process the second fully remote control Cat 316E was ready in three weeks.”
The bespoke modifications and additions Finning provided for Harsco go beyond the remote control system. The Cat 316E’s boom was extended due to the depths of the pots and ladles it will be working with. Fire resistant wrapping was used to cover the hydraulic hoses and fireproof covering for the LED lights were utilised due to the intense heat of the steelworks application.
